Symphonic Encounters
The VSO’s open rehearsal program, Symphonic Encounters, takes students, teachers, and community groups behind the scenes to discover what it takes for the musicians, conductors, and production team of the Vancouver Symphony to prepare for a world class concert.
In addition to the rehearsal, opportunities to Meet a Musician or take an Orpheum Tour may be offered depending on capacity. Ticket holders will be notified of these opportunities in advance of the rehearsal date.
Meet a Musician: During the break, VSO musician will be available to answer any questions students may have about a career in music or the rehearsal process.
Orpheum Tour: A 40-minute tour of the Orpheum Theatre is available as an alternative to sitting in on the second half of the rehearsal. Space is limited, so advance booking is required.
Thursday, November 13, 10AM-12:30PM
Ravel’s Piano Concerto
This is a regular professional rehearsal. Please note that the rehearsal plans are decided by the conductor and might include one or all of the listed pieces.
If you are wondering how a piano concerto for just the left hand would work, this open rehearsal offers the chance to find out. Maurice Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand, written for pianist Paul Wittgenstein after he lost his right arm in World War I, is a stunning feat of imagination—its sweeping textures and sonorities create the illusion of two hands at the keyboard. Internationally acclaimed pianist Louis Lortie also joins the VSO for Ravel’s jazz-inspired Concerto in G major, making this a rare occasion to hear both of Ravel’s piano concertos side by side.
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Friday, February 6, 11AM-2:00PM
A Spoonful of Sugar
This is a Dress Rehearsal. Dress Rehearsals usually include a run through of the program. However, please note that rehearsal plans do sometimes change.
Broadway star Ashley Brown, best known as Mary Poppins and Belle in Beauty and the Beast, brings her charm and soaring vocals to a special open rehearsal with the Vancouver Symphony. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at favourites from Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma! and more—a magical experience for all ages.
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Friday, March 6, 10AM-12:30PM
Märkl Conducts Brahms 1
This is a Dress Rehearsal. Dress Rehearsals usually include a run through of the program. However, please note that rehearsal plans do sometimes change.
Join conductor Jun Märkl and violinist Stefan Jackiw for a behind-the-scenes look at how orchestral music tells stories. At the center is Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, remarkable for beginning with the solo violin alone and highlighting expressive phrasing, technical brilliance, and a vivid dialogue between soloist and orchestra. The program might also include Takemitsu’s meditative Ceremonial and the triumphant finale of Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
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Thursday, April 30, 10AM-12:30PM
Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet
This is a regular professional rehearsal. Please note that the rehearsal plans are decided by the conductor and might include one or all of the listed pieces.
Conductor Anna-Maria Helsing leads the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in a rehearsal exploring the art of orchestral storytelling through Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite, bringing Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy to life. The program also features the shimmering textures and unique sound world of Finnish composer, Kaija Saariaho’s Lumière et pesanteur (Light and Gravity), alongside the playful wit and colourful orchestration of Prokofiev’s comic opera suite The Love for Three Oranges.
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Friday, May 8, 11AM-2:00PM
The Music of James Bond
This is a Dress Rehearsal. Dress Rehearsals usually include a run through of the program. However, please note that rehearsal plans do sometimes change.
Jimmie Herrod makes his Vancouver debut in this dress rehearsal with the VSO, offering a behind-the-scenes look at a program packed with iconic spy themes and cinematic favorites. Led by conductor Sean O’Loughlin, Herrod brings his stunning vocals to music from James Bond, Mission: Impossible, Austin Powers, The Pink Panther, and more—a night of high drama, cool charm, and unforgettable film music in the making.
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How to Order
There are several ways to register for a Symphonic Encounters Concert:
- Pay in full with a credit card: Click on your preferred date and time above to create an order. Orders placed online may be reassigned to ensure that groups are seated together.
- To pay a deposit, or to pay via cheque or cash. Please fill out our ticket request form. Our team will get back to you to assist further with the payment process and your order.
A non-refundable deposit of 10% is required to secure space at your preferred concert. The full balance is due no later than three weeks in advance of the performance.
Please Note:
Teachers and Support Staff, we kindly request you reach out to education@vancouversymphony.ca for arrangement of your free tickets alongside your students.
Everyone in attendance will be required to purchase a ticket. To arrange complimentary tickets for babies 6 months and under, please contact education@vancouversymphony.ca.
Symphonic Encounter Order Change Policy
You may decrease the number of tickets in your order up to one week before the concert. Your booking becomes firm after full payment has been received. Please note that we are unable to process refunds for any decrease in tickets made after the deadline date, including students who are sick or absent on the day of the concert. In some cases, we may be able to issue one-time credits to be used for future concerts. You can contact us for more information.
If you would like to increase the number of tickets in your order, please get in contact with us to make arrangements. Please note that last-minute ticket requests cannot be guaranteed, and we cannot add tickets to your order on the day of the concert.
MAILING ADDRESS:
Education Department, Vancouver Symphony
500–833 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 0G4
Safety Measures: For FAQ’s about Safety Measures, please click here and please see our information about the performance below. For a complete Communicable Disease Prevention Plan contact Education@vancouversymphony.ca
The Orpheum Theatre is a public space. Photos or Videos may be captured and used by the VSO for promotional or educational purposes.
We cannot guarantee that all of the listed repertoire will be rehearsed during the open rehearsal.
All rehearsals are held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver. Please use the Smithe Street entrance of the building upon arrival.
Approximately 2.5 hours. There are usually two pieces rehearsed per session, each one for about 1 hour with a 20-minute break in the middle.
All seating is in the balcony of the Orpheum Theatre and is assigned on a FIRST PAID IN FULL – BEST SEATING basis. Sending a deposit will hold the date for you and we will assign your seats upon receiving your complete payment.
Sorry, no cameras, video or tape recorders are permitted in the hall.
All tickets are $10.00 for education & community groups. For all other pricing please contact education@vancouversymphony.ca.
The ArtStarts Cherniavsky’s Mr. Music Fund offers grants to schools to assist in purchasing student tickets to classical music concerts and open rehearsals. For more information, visit https://artstarts.com/cherniavsky
Symphonic Encounters is an open rehearsal series, which means that attendees quietly observe the orchestra preparing for a regular season concert. Our suggested age range for this program is from grade 6 up to adults. Please contact the Education Assistant if you require any further advice on this matter.
Everyone in attendance will be required to purchase a ticket. Babies under 6 months of age can receive a complimentary ticket.
Program notes are available online the week of each rehearsal date. There are no printed programs available on the day of the rehearsal.
Doors open 30 minutes before the listed rehearsal time and we request that everyone be seated inside the auditorium 10 minutes before the rehearsal begins. Late comers will not be seated until an appropriate break in the rehearsal.
Full payment is required no later than 2 weeks before the rehearsal. You have the option of paying in full at the time of your registration or sending a non-refundable deposit to hold your preferred date with the balance to arrive 2 weeks prior to the rehearsal.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please call the Vancouver Symphony’s Education Department at 604.684.9100 or contact us by email at education@vancouversymphony.ca.
